WORLD PEACE CO-OPERATION

Baron d'Estournelles de Constant gave an address in Emerson Hall yesterday afternoon on "American and European Co-operation for World Peace." He was introduced by President Lowell, who drew attention to the fact that no subject attracts more universal attention than world peace.

Baron d'Estournelles referred to some of the wars that have taken place in Europe in times past and showed that as a result of these wars no particular advantage was gained either to the contending parties or to other nations. In spite of the fact that Russia and France have been at war twice during the last century, they are at present the best of friends. Both of these wars were the fault of the governments and not of the people themselves.

Upon his arrival in this country Baron d'Estournelles de Constant was told that war between the United States and Mexico was imminent, but upon reaching the Mexican frontier he was informed that the real reason for the rumor was the fear of Japanese interference in the Mexican situation. Upon investigating this rumor, however, Baron d'Estournelles found that Japanese interference on this side of the Pacific was quite out of the question.

It is said by many people that sooner or later Japan will be tempted to seize the Philippines, then the Hawaian Islands, then the Pacific Coast ports. This claim is absurd, for Japan would gain absolutely no advantage from any such movement. In the first place Japan has no money to carry on such a war as would be inevitable if such seizures were made, and in the second place Japan in attacking the possessions of the United States would at the same time threaten the English, French, Russian, and Dutch positions in the East. In other words, if Japan attacks our eastern positions, she menaces the other nations of the world, as the balance of power would be endangered. The only things behind the Japanese war scare are lies and ignorance.

Not only is war impossible, but it is not to be thought of, as men cannot be spared for such a purpose. Internal improvements are needed in all countries, and the real advancement of all nations depends not upon war but the expenditure of men and money in the cause of internal improvements. The solution of international disputes, moreover, lies not in war, but in arbitration, and in this arbitration the American people excel. It is essential in arbitration, however, that the decisions of arbitration boards be accepted once and for all by the nations interested. In this way, and in this way only, may we hope to find the solution of international disputes.